Pneumatic control mechanism for looms and the like

ABSTRACT

A pneumatic tape reader utilizes standard 1 inch wide 8 column punched data tape to activate pattern control elements of a loom dobby head or Jacquard head to produce variations in the weave pattern. The advancement of the tape through the reader is synchronized with the pick cycle of the loom and an air supply valve for the reader is similarly synchronized. A simplified pneumatic actuator for each loom pattern control element is operated by a small pneumatic output tube on the reader, thus eliminating relatively expensive conventional air cylinder and piston units. The reader possesses general utility in the reading of pneumatic data to any pneumatic logic system of fluidic system of gates, flip-flops, amplifiers or the like.

United States Patent Minchey et al. v

[541 PNEUMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM FOR LOOMS AND THE LIKE [72] Inventors: Jerry M. Minchey, 202 Sycamore Drive; Willard A. Ramsey, 108 Paxton Street, both of Mauldin, SC. 29662 [22] Filed: June 11,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 45,385

[ 51 May 23,1972

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 892,332 3/ 1962 Great Britain ..66/154 A OTHER PUBLICATIONS IBM Tecnical Disclosure Bulletin, Modular Pneumatic Logic, Package, R. F. Langley & P. B. Schulz, Vol. 6, N0. 5, Oct. 1963, Pg- 3-4.

Primary ExaminerJarnes Kee Chi Attorney-B. P. F ishbume, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT loom and an air supply valve for the reader is similarly synchronized. A simplified pneumatic actuator for each loom pattern control element is operated by a small pneumatic output tube on the reader, thus eliminating relatively expensive conventional air cylinder and piston units. The reader possesses general utility in the reading of pneumatic data to any pneumatic logic system of fluidic system of gates, flip-flops, amplifiers or the like.

I 4 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures STEPPING I MOTOR MOTOR 23 CONTROL I LOGIC CONTROL [52] U.S.Cl. ..139/317,139/55,66/l54, 137/815 [51] Int.Cl. ..D03d49/00,D03c13/00 [58] FieldotSearch... ..139/55,317;66/154A; 137/81.5, 608

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,586,061 6/1971 Lauritsen ..139/55 3,103,953 9/1963 Lauritsenw. ....139/55 3,495,608 2/1970 O'Keefe.... ....137/8l.5. 3,512,558 5/1970 OKeefem. ....137/81.5 972,349 10/1910 Drury ..139/317 2,558,284 6/1951 Whitaker ..139/317X 572,246 12/1896 Cuscadenetal. .....139/317X 2,790,465 4/1957 Battner ..139/317X 3,473,568 10/1969 Pfitzneretal ..137/608 LOOM smc.

- READOUT I I SPEED I I OSCILLATOR CONTROL I AIR SOURCE PATENTEUIAY 23 I972 SHEET 1 [IF 2 FIG. I

OSCILLATOR SPEED CONTROL l I l ATTORNEY I MME 0H IC W WM N ll-M l R R E J WILLARD A. RAMSEY BY 6 F t PATENTEDMY 23 I972 SHEET 2 [1F 2 FIG. 5

. INVENTORS JERRY M. MINCHEY WILLARD A. RAMSEY ATTORNEY PNEUMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM FOR LOOMS AND THE LIKE Pneumatic pattern control mechanisms for weaving looms are known in the prior art as evidenced by US. Pat. No. 972,349, Drury, of Oct. 1 l, 1910. Because of certain impractical and costly constructions, this form of control for the weave pattern has not been adopted by the industry. Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to improve upon the mechanism of the above-mentioned patent and the prior art in general by the provision of a pneumatic control system which is greatly simplified and completely practical as well as economical. The mechanism of the invention is constructed to utilize standard 1 inch wide eight column punched data tape of paper or Mylar which is completely compatible with existing tape punching machines which can be controlled either manually from a keyboard or automatically by means of a computer. The invention also includes a unique fluidic actuator connected directly to each pattern control element of the loom or other like instrumentality. Each actuator has an open fluid link with one data output tube of the pneumatic read head which constitutes the heart of the control mechanism. The read head finds wide utility in producing output data for fluidic logic for any desired purpose. With the extensive development of fluidic logic, such a pneumatic tape reader is a necessity. It is well known that for some applications fluidic controls are more desirable than similar electronics systems which employ electrical'tape readers, electronic logic, amplifiers, solenoid operated valves and other components.

An important feature of the invention is the elimination of the need for conventional pneumatic cylinder-piston actuators which are costly and subject to wear. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a pneumatic control mechanism for looms or the like embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly broken away and partly in section, of a pneumatic read head and associated elements.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a fluidic actuator means and associated data output tubes leading from the read head.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross section through the read head when the pneumatic admission valve is closed and the elastic diaphragm is relaxed.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 wherein the diaphragm is stretched in response to opening the admission valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals designate like parts, the entire system is shown schematically in FIG. 1 including a pneumatic read head which utilizes standard 1 inch wide eight column punched data tape 21. A suitable tape drive 22 is provided, preferably including a step motor 23 to advance the data tape step-by-step in synchronism with the loom pick cycle. A pneumatic admission valve 24 is also provided in the system to allow pulses of air into the read head 20 through a main pneumatic supply line 25 connected with the internal chamber of the read head. The operation of this valve is also synchronized with the loom and air is supplied to the valve from any suitable source of compressed air. As shown in FIG. 1, motor control logic 26 and suitable valve control means 27 are coupled to the step motor 23 and valve 24, respectively, and these control components in turn are coupled to an electrical sync. read-out unit 28 suitably driven from the loom. This unit 28 may have a conventional mechanical driving connection as at 29 with the valve 24. The read head 20 has a plurality of small pneumatic data output lines 30 which lead to individual fluidic actuators, to be described, not shown in FIG. 1.

The read head 20 constituting the heart of the control system comprises a back plate or housing 31 whose inner face is covered by an elastic rubber-like diaphragm 32 which is secured around its marginal edges only by the opposing marginal shoulder 33 of housing section 34 of the read head which has connections or openings 35 for the pneumatic data output tubes 30, which are small flexible plastic tubes in practicev The housing sections 31 and 34 are suitably secured together in opposing relationship with the entire margin of the diaphragm 32 clamped therebetween as shown at 36 in FIGS. 4 and 5. A pneumatic chamber 37 is formed between the diaphragm 32 and the housing section 34 and through this chamber longitudinally the punched data tape 21 is adapted to be advanced step-by-step as by the step motor means 23-22, previously mentioned. Suitable end slots are of course provided in the housing section 34. to permit the longitudinal movement of the tape between the two marginally clamped housing sections.

Preferably the interior face of housing section 34 defining one side of the chamber 37 has a rubber-like lining 39 for the purpose of forming a good seal with the tape 21 when the latter is forced thereagainst by the elastic diaphragm 32. As shown, the diaphragm has rows of apertures 40 formed therethrough in proper spaced relation to register with the punched holes in the columns on the data tape 21. Consequently, dependent upon whatever data is punched or programmed into the tape 21, for each step feeding of the tape, a certain number of tape apertures 41 will register with the diaphragm apertures 40 while some of the apertures 40 will lie adjacent to imperforate areas of the tape. Referring to FIG. 2, it may be mentioned that for a standard I inch wide eight column tape with one track or column used for synchronization, the tape needs to be advanced three longitudinal rows per step as indicated at 42 in connection with a dobby loom. This is because the dobby pattern mechanism is capable of raising and lowering the warps (shed) in 20 different groups.

The data output tubes 30 are suitably secured to the housing section 34 in registry with the openings 35 and similar openings in the lining 39. Therefore, these tubes communicate with the pneumatic chamber 37 on the downstream side of the diaphragm 32. The tubes 30 correspond in number and spacing to the openings 40 of the diaphragm 32 and the tape 21 lies between the diaphragm and the openings leading to the output tubes 30.

Air input lines 43 and 44 lead through housing section 31 to supply air near both sides of the chamber 37 for quick and even sealing. The admission valve 24 has its output connected with the two input lines 41 by a T-fitting 45, FIG. 2. When air is admitted in this manner to the chamber 37, the elastic diaphragm 32 is stretched into sealing contact with the sec tions of the data tape 21 now inside of the read head, FIG. 5, and this holds the tape stationary in the read head and locks it in sealed relationship between the downstream side of diaphragm 32 and the backing or lining 39. The movements are exaggerated in FIG. 5 for clarity, and actually the diaphragm moves only a few thousandths of an inch. It may be observed in FIG. 5 that the diaphragm 32 forms a seal outwardly of both longitudinal edges of the tape at 46 as well as entirely over the area of the tape which is covered by the diaphragm. Both the step feeding of the tape and the admission of air into the chamber 37 are synchronized with the loom pick motion as explained in connection with FIG. 1. The particular data apertures 41 which register with the diaphragm openings 40 will allow air to pass from the chamber 37 through the tape to the data output tubes 30 which are in registration with the tape apertures.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the flexible pneumatic output tubes 30 extend for any required distance away from the read head 20 toward the loom dobby head 48. This dobby head includes conventional sliding pattern control pins 49 which reciprocate in fixed guides 50 and are opposed by compression springs 51. Each pin 49 has a threaded connection at 53 with a hollow actuator cylinder 52 forming an important component of the apparatus. The elements 49 and 52 reciprocate as a unit relative to the bearing 50. The actuator cylinder or tube 52 surrounds a smaller rigid tube 30' formed of plastic,

arrows in FIG. 3 show the passage of air from the tube 30 into the actuator tube 52 at relatively low pressure and then reversely to the atmosphere through the open end 54. The result is that the pulses of air in the various tubes 30 following each step feeding of the tape 21 cause reciprocation of the pattern control pins 49 with the attached fluidic type actuator 52 to vary the weaving pattern. The springs 51 automatically return the reciprocating units to their normal positions where the data output tubes 30 associated therewith are blocked off by non-perforated portions of the data tape 21.

The actuator arrangement embodying tubes 30 and surrounding cylinders 52 is very efficient and the parts have very low mass and experience practically no wear even after long usage. Conventional close-fitting cylinder-piston units are entirely dispensed with in the system and the lightweight nonfrictional actuators are found to be much more efficient, practical, durable and economical. It requires less than an ounce of force to operate the pattern control pins 49 of the loom dobby head and the actuators 30'52 are ideally suited for this particular application.

On a Jacquard loom, the pattern control means is different, using a system of control wires and weights. However, on this type of loom, the fluidic actuator 52 can be adapted easily by connecting it to the control element that moves vertically up and down. The actuator would push the element up and a small weight normally is used to cause its return. In any case, the invention mechanism per se can be said to terminate with the element 52 and this element is suitably connected with an existing movable control member.

As was previously stressed, the pneumatic tape reader or head, as disclosed herein, is capable of many applications other than on looms, where it is desired to read recorded data from a punched tape to a pneumatic or fluidic logic system of any type.

it is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

1. A pneumatic control mechanism for looms comprising in combination with plural reciprocatory weave pattern control elements on a loom, a corresponding number of frictionless pneumatic actuators for said control elements to shift the same selectively in one longitudinal direction against resistive means, each pneumatic actuator comprising a cylinder body connected directly to one of said control elements and extending axially thereof, the cylinder body having a bore including a closed end wall adjacent the control element, the opposite end of the bore remote from the control element being open to atmosphere, each pneumatic actuator further comprising a fixed tube extending centrally and axially into the bore of the cylinder body and spaced from the walls of the cylinder body and having an open discharge end in spaced opposed relation to said closed end wall of the cylinder body, there being an annular space surrounding said fixed tube and between the tube and side wall of the cylinder body, whereby pressurized air from the tube can flow reversely around the tube and through the open end of the cylinder body to atmosphere, a pneumatic punched data tape read head, means to advance a punched data tape in stepped increments through the read head in synchronism with the pick cycle of the loom, pneumatic admission means connected with the read head and synchronized with the pick cycle of the loom and operable to produce pneumatic data outputs through selected apertures of the punched data tape at each dwell of the tape in said read head, and pneumatic data output tubes connected with and,

leading from the read head and extending to said pneumatic actuators, said output tubes each connected with one of said fixed tubes of the pneumatic actuators to deliver pneumatic data pulses thereto.

2. A pneumatic control mechanism for looms comprising a pneumatic punched data tape read head, said read head including a pair of opposed housing sections defining an internal pneumatic chamber, said chamber having a through passage for a punched data tape, said tape having rows of apertures, means to advance said tape through said passage and chamber in stepped increments synchronized with the pick cycle of the loom, pneumatic admission means connected with one of said housing sections and being synchronized with the pick cycle of the loom and operable to admit pneumatic pulses into said chamber, an apertured elastic diaphragm spanning said chamber and having margins clamped between said housing sections, the apertures of the diaphragm arranged in rows and adapted to register with selected apertures of said tape upon each dwell of the tape in said chamber, said diaphragm engaging one side of the tape sealingly and clampingly when each pneumatic pulse is admitted to said chamber by said pneumatic admission means and while said tape is at a dwell with selected apertures thereof in registration with apertures of said diaphragm, the wall of one housing section remote from the diaphragm and adjacent said tape also having rows of apertures aligned with the apertures of the diaphragm, said elastic diaphragm inflating and sealingly contacting said wall of the housing section remote from the diaphragm when each pneumatic pulse is admitted to said chamber, pneumatic data output tubes connected with the apertures in said wall of the housing section remote from the diaphragm, and a corresponding number of frictionless pneumatic actuators for weave pattern control elements of the loom connected with said pneumatic data output tubes and operated by pneumatic data pulses transmitted through the output tubes.

3. The structure as defined by claim 2, and a resilient lining for the wall of said one housing section remote from said diaphragm and adapted to sealingly contact the diaphragm adjacent the opposite longitudinal edges of the data tape upon each inflation of the diaphragm.

4. The structure as defined by claim 2, and each frictionless pneumatic actuator including a fixed tube having a connection with one of said data output tubes and having a discharge end, and a reciprocatory relatively large bore cylinder body surrounding the fixed tube in spaced non-contacting relation therewith and being connected with a weave pattern control element of the loom, the bore of each cylinder body being open to atmosphere and the cylinder body having a frontal end wall in spaced opposed relation to the discharge end of the fixed tube associated with it. 

1. A pneumatic control mechanism for looms comprising in combination with plural reciprocatory weave pattern control elements on a loom, a corresponding number of frictionless pneumatic actuators for said control elements to shift the same selectively in one longitudinal direction against resistive means, each pneumatic actuator comprising a cylinder body connected directly to one of said control elements and extending axially thereof, the cylinder body having a bore including a closed end wall adjacent the control element, the opposite end of the bore remote from the control element being open to atmosphere, each pneumatic actuator further comprising a fixed tube extending centrally and axially into the bore of the cylinder body and spaced from the walls of the cylinder body and having an open discharge end in spaced opposed relation to said closed end wall of the cylinder body, there being an annular space surrounding said fixed tube and between the tube and side wall of the cylinder body, whereby pressurized air from the tube can flow reversely around the tube and through the open end of the cylinder body to atmosphere, a pneumatic punched data tape read head, means to advance a punched data tape in stepped increments through the read head in synchronism with the pick cycle of the loom, pneumatic admission means connected with the read head and synchronized with the pick cycle of the loom and operable to produce pneumatic data outputs through selected apertures of the punched data tape at each dwell of the tape in said read head, and pneumatic data output tubes connected with and leading from the read head and extending to said pneumatic actuators, said output tubes each connected with one of said fixed tubes of the pneumatic actuators to deliver pneumatic data pulses thereto.
 2. A pneumatic control mechanism for looms comprising a pneumatic punched data tape read head, said read head including a pair of opposed housing sections defining an internal pneumatic chamber, said chamber having a through passage for a punched data tape, said tape having rows of apertures, means to advance said tape through said passage and chamber in stepped increments synchronized with the pick cycle of the loom, pneumatic admission means connected with one of said housing sections and being synchronized with the pick cycle of the loom and operable to admit pneumatic pulses into said chamber, an apertured elastic diaphragm spanning said chamber and having margins clamped between said housing sections, the apertures of the diaphragm arranged in rows and adapted to register with selected apertures of said tape upon each dwell of the tape in said chamber, said diaphragm engaging one side of the tape sealingly and clampingly when each pneumatic pulse is admitted to said chamber by said pneumatic admission means and while said tape is at a dwell with selected apertures thereof in registration with apertures of said diaphragm, the wall of one housing section remote from the diaphragm and adjacent said tape also having rows of apertures aligned with the apertures of the diaphragm, said elastic diaphragm inflatIng and sealingly contacting said wall of the housing section remote from the diaphragm when each pneumatic pulse is admitted to said chamber, pneumatic data output tubes connected with the apertures in said wall of the housing section remote from the diaphragm, and a corresponding number of frictionless pneumatic actuators for weave pattern control elements of the loom connected with said pneumatic data output tubes and operated by pneumatic data pulses transmitted through the output tubes.
 3. The structure as defined by claim 2, and a resilient lining for the wall of said one housing section remote from said diaphragm and adapted to sealingly contact the diaphragm adjacent the opposite longitudinal edges of the data tape upon each inflation of the diaphragm.
 4. The structure as defined by claim 2, and each frictionless pneumatic actuator including a fixed tube having a connection with one of said data output tubes and having a discharge end, and a reciprocatory relatively large bore cylinder body surrounding the fixed tube in spaced non-contacting relation therewith and being connected with a weave pattern control element of the loom, the bore of each cylinder body being open to atmosphere and the cylinder body having a frontal end wall in spaced opposed relation to the discharge end of the fixed tube associated with it. 